Helmut Rudel, the founder and president of Rutronik Elektronische Bauelemente GmbH, received the 2025 Baden-Württemberg Founder Award in the “Lifetime Achievement” category. The award ceremony took place on July 9, 2025, at the Sparkassenakademie Baden-Württemberg in Stuttgart. It was organized by the Sparkassenverband Baden-Württemberg and took place under the patronage of Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut, Minister of Economic Affairs, Labor, and Tourism of the State of Baden-Württemberg.
The Sparkassenverband presents this award to individuals who have set standards through entrepreneurial foresight, innovative strength, and social commitment during their active work. Helmut Rudel founded Rutronik in 1973 in Ispringen and developed it into one of Europe's leading distributors of electronic components with a global presence. At the award ceremony, Helmut Rudel was accompanied by his family and long-serving employees who have been with Rutronik for over 25 years, including two who have been with the company since its inception. Representatives of the Rutronik management were also attending the ceremony, including Thomas Rudel, Rutronik's CEO; Markus Krieg, Chief Marketing Officer, Fabian Plentz, Chief Operating Officer, and Michael Badinger, Chief Finance Officer.
"This award fills me with great gratitude. It is a tribute not only to my personal journey, but also to the commitment and passion of all Rutronik employees," Helmut Rudel said at the award ceremony. Hans Neuweiler, president of the Sparkasse Pforzheim Calw at the time of the nomination who only recently retired, concluded: “Helmut Rudel is an entrepreneur with vision, a down-to-earth attitude, and a deep sense of responsibility for the region. His life's work is a role model for generations of founders."